Bruton extends football winning streak with 27-6 victory over Jamestown

John Harvey, jharvey@vagazette.com

— There's something about playing in Wanner Stadium that brings out the best in the Bruton High football team.

Two weeks ago, Kapri Doucet scored four touchdowns at Wanner as the Panthers outlasted Warhill 42-21. Friday night, Bruton (4-2, 3-2 Bay Rivers district) improved to 2-1 on the artificial-turf field with a 27-6 win over Jamestown.

Doucet rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers' third straight win.

Bruton struck first, taking advantage of a fumble recovery by Clinton Cowles at the Jamestown 36. Three plays later, Isaiah Williams scored on a trap play off the left side from 14 yards out to take a 7-0 lead with 4:51 left in the first quarter.

Jamestown answered on the ensuing drive, thanks to the strong right arm of Tyler Doane. The senior quarterback completed 3 of 4 passes on the drive, including a beautiful 26-yard strike to Braxton Miller on fourth down. Marcel Schwartz's extra point came up short as Bruton maintained a 7-6 lead with 1:42 left in the quarter.

The Eagles had a chance to take the lead in the second quarter, but Doane had two passes dropped in the end zone as Bruton's defense forced a turnover on downs.

The Panthers' offense went to work as Doucet broke off a 24-yard gain and Williams added a 22-yard pickup to give Bruton a first-and-10 from the Jamestown 29. Four plays later, Bilal Wallace scored on a read-option play around right tackle. Jamestown blocked the extra-point try as the Panthers led 13-6 at halftime.

Jamestown failed to score on its first drive of the half, giving Bruton the ball at its own 42. The Eagles' defense held, forcing a punt. That's when things got strange.

The Eagles were whistled for a roughing-the-kicker call to extend the drive. After the play was over, Jamestown was called for two additional unsportsmanlike penalties to give Bruton first-and-10 from the Eagles' 21. Three plays later, Doucet scored from 20 yards to give the Panthers a 20-6 lead with 4:26 left in the half.

Bruton pinned Jamestown at its own 10-yard line to start the fourth quarter. After a pair of short passes, Doane tried to hit Stas Szczepanski on a bubble screen. The ball deflected off his hands and Jumanne Brown was there to grab it. The senior defensive back initially ran the wrong way, but quickly reversed field and returned it to the Jamestown 5. Doucet scored on the next play for a 27-6 win.

Doane completed 13 of 26 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown to lead Jamestown. J.J. Boyd finished with five receptions for 90 yards in the loss.